Hankies and sticks: Why do people take up Morris dancing? – BBC News

<figure class=”media-landscape” has-caption full-width lead”> Image copyrightLaurence CawleyImage caption Melodeon player and club bagman Celia Kemp provides the music for the Morris men to practise their moves to

Last month the BBC told how a long-standing Morris group feared a dearth of “fit, mildly eccentric men” would force its troupe to fold. Luckily men recognised themselves as both fit and quirky and helped avert a crisis. But what is the appeal of Morris dancing?

The annual rhythms of Morris dancing closely resemble cricket.

Yes, Morris troupes put on the occasional display during the cold dark months of winter, but its seasonal home is the summer.

Winter is the “indoor season”, a time for perfecting routines wearing informal attire, away from public view.

<figure class=”media-landscape” has-caption full-width”> Image caption The Chelmsford group invited BBC News for a behind-the-scenes look at the curious world of off-season Morris dancing

The Chelmsford Morris group invited the BBC in for a behind-the-scenes look to see what makes its devotees tick.